modciti a year in reveiw
by Betsy Lewis
// lights fantastic pto greenville avenue
Dallas has grown with an abundance of modern design spread across the city from homes to developments, the arts have played a significant role with outstanding exhibits in the museums and galleries and modern weekend getaways, but most importantly, Dallas as a city has embraced the revitalization of a real treasure, Fair Park. Let’s take a look back at 2022.
WINTER
The Wigodsky’s wanted the cottages to be as unique as the main house so they contracted architect Mark Domiteaux of Domiteaux Garza Architecture to create the structures. Each cottage is named after a different bird that is native to the area: Cardinal, Bluebird, Hummingbird and Goldfinch. The interiors reflect the color and character of each bird. Keeping the main house which is referred to as the Bird’s Nest.
// sunrise point design by domiteaux garza architecture
// sunrise point - cardinal entry
Cobalt Homes has built a thriving business by creatively outwitting the limited amounts of workable space in the most desirable locations. Partners Don Carroll, Greg McGowan, and Josh Nichols are changing the game on how to build a rarefied aesthetic for Dallas townhome living that somehow, as if by magic, makes the city’s coolest neighborhoods just a little bit cooler.
Since that auspicious beginning, when Jon Sayah’s father Larry brought modern lighting options to Texas, the Sayahs have spent decades building up one of the
nation’s foremost providers of lighting solutions, chiefly through showrooms, and including the stalwart Greenville Avenue location that opened in 1969. For Dallasites, that particular store is a treasured part of our collective childhood, an institution as beloved as the State Fair of Texas or the dearly departed Mrs. Baird’s bread factory on Mockingbird at Central Expressway.
Visions of Lighting’s Future have given way to growth and change guided by 21st century technologies. “Our business evolved from being more retail to now, where
// cobalt homes - nimmo architecture
// lights fantastic pro - design joshua rice design
we’re selling the experience of lighting,” explains Sayah. “What can lighting do for you that’s different than just to see by?”
SPRING
At Holly Johnson Gallery, Margo Sawyer’s vibrant works serve as site-specific sculptures and a more tactile twist on abstract painting.
“They seem like paintings, but they’re not,” muses Saw-
yer from her home in Elgin, Texas. “They’re exquisite hardware.There’s a color and a physicality. (The works) are set five or six inches away from the wall, so they form a mass.
For more than three decades Harold Leidner Company has been creating imaginative landscape designs that bring together the interior and exterior. “Our landscape architects and builders have designed and built residential exteriors that are better integrated because of that knowledge and experience. The materials used
// cobalt
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architecture
homes
nimmo
// harold leidner landscape architects project: beverly
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installation view - margo sawyer at holly johnson gallery
are more sustainable. Energy is used more efficiently. Environmental decisions are sensible, and the physical beauty of those exteriors is undeniable — and all from a single source.”
As a high school student in Atlanta, Ben Crawford knew he was equally inclined toward art and math. He never imagined that he would one day rise to prominence in
Texas architecture as both the design principal for HOK’s Dallas practice and the president of AIA Dallas, the sixth largest chapter of The American Institute of Architects.
Acclaimed interior architect Paulina Morán makes her Dallas debut with The Mexican, a new restaurant in the Design District that opened in March. Early in her career, Morán was a protege of Sergio Bougeat in Barcelona,
// ben crawford | president aia dallas trammell crow center - image: michael robinson photography
// architect bentley tibbs photo: charles davis smith faia
// the mexican - interior architect paulina morán
New Year, New Home
then worked for Philippe Stark on Mexico City’s Teatron Restaurant before launching her own textile and design firms. She is a two-time winner of the Prix Versailles World Architecture and Design Award.
SUMMER
Domiteaux Garza Architecture: Boyhood Signs of Architects To Come.. Sometimes kids reveal subtle yet un-
shakable glimmers of the adults they will one day be.
When I interviewed Domiteaux Garza Architecture’s Mark Domiteaux and Ruben Garza, several questions were asked and many interesting answers given, but the first question out of the gate proved worthy of the full 800 words due this article. Here the architects exchange responses to a single question about their respective childhoods. Maybe it was the thrill of conducting a face-
// domiteaux garza architecture - browning lane
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circa20c - dallas design district
// fire station 27 - perkins + will
to-faces interview for the first time in two years, zoom-free, at Domiteaux Garza’s Oak Lawn headquarters, or maybe it was just luck. Regardless, the partners were both insightful and charming.
Jean Nelson of Circa20c loves Mid Century Modern furnishings. “Decorating should reflect your personality and taste.” Jean said, “and a few really good pieces of Mid-Century Modern design can work in almost any room and add a timeless style.”
It’s a simple statement of approach, delivered at the opening of the new Firehouse 37, and the circumstances that make the approach necessary, but to me it captures the moment we live in in a way nothing else quite has. Dallas’ Fire and Rescue Depart-
//fire station 37 - photo: charles davis smith | faia
ment is evolving, and just like the city itself it’s doing it at a remarkable pace, and-just like Dallas itself - not just aesthetically, but functionally.
FALL
The webpage for Omniplan’s case study of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum begins with a question- “How can a building educate and change the world?” The homepage of the Museum itself seems
to answer it: “It’s about humanity. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.” Omniplan is an architecture firm that has been shaping Dallas for over 60 years with private and public architecture projects, but something of this emotional and historical magnitude is a rare and deep responsibility. How does a building contend with the pain of confronting the atrocities of the Holocaust? It works to demonstrate both the profound human toll of doing nothing when everything is at stake, and the hope that lashes against it when those that are not in harm’s way willingly put themselves in it for the sake of others.
// dallas holocaust and human rights museum
Gabriel Dawe unveils an engaging new body of work at Talley Dunn Gallery.
Famed for his rainbows of gradient thread that elevate even the banalest space, Dallas-based artist Gabriel Dawe has built a reputation for his ethereal installations. For his latest show at Talley Dunn, he explores both new methodologies and new inspirations.
A self-defined “seeker,” Dawe was already on a journey of discovery, tirelessly looking inside and outside for the meaning of life.
In New York City, it’s SoHo. (South of Houston St.) In San Francisco it’s SoMa (South of Market St.) and in Austin it’s SoCo (South Congress St.). All three neighborhoods are known for their “vibes”, but SoCo has a vibe all its own, music.
Once home to Willie Nelson’s Austin Opry, the area is now a mecca of music, entertainment and a new hotel that captures the vibe with style and pinache. Hotel Magdalena sits very near the site of the storied Terrace Motor Lodge a mid-century icon in Austin. That land-
// gabriel dawe at talley dunn gallery ill ave
// neon sign image: nick simonitel ave
mark is long gone, but architects Lake|Flato and Bunkhouse hospitality have captured the essence of the icon and the area with their newest hotel property. Located on the aptly named Music Lane, the 89-room hotel takes inspiration from the natural green space of central Texas, Barton Springs in Austin, and early 1970s lakeside culture.
And finally, a warm hello to all of the new residents of North Texas who moved here in the last 12 months.
The mass arrival of former Californians, former New Yorkers, and sundry former Not-Texans sparked a wild jolt of home sales and home buys in the area. The demand for cool places to live has never been greater than now. Welcome to Dallas. We’re glad you’re here.
To every modern designer, publicist, office staffer, client, modern design follower, and everyone in the moderndallas family, have a very Happy New Year. Onward to 2022!
// hotel magdalena exterior pool - image: nick simonite
THE REALM OF APPEARANCES
by Betsy Lewis
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// image creditjoey brock matthew wong, river at night, 2018. Oil on canvas. collection of shio kusaka and jonas wood. Image credit: © 2022 matthew wong foundation
artists rights society (ars) new york
The paintings of artist Matthew Wong (1984-2019) foretold a promise of great things to come. Before that promise could be fulfilled, Wong committed suicide at age 35, but his existing body of work will likely influence future generations of landscape painters.
Matthew Wong: The Realm of Appearances is the first
museum retrospective of Wong’s work, anywhere, and now midway through its run at the Dallas Museum of Art. Opening last October and on view through February 19, 2023, the exhibition showcases breathtaking, expressive landscapes on large-format canvases. The exhibition follows the development of Wong’s artistry over six years of serious intensity.
// matthew wong, a walk by the sea, 2019. Gouache on paper. matthew wong foundation. Image credit: © 2022 matthew wong foundation / artists rights society (ars) new york
// Iinstallation view - matthew wong foundation / artists rights society (ars) new york
// matthew wong, new moon ( after john beerman), 2019. gouache on paper. matthew wong foundation Foundation. Image credit: © 2022 matthew wong foundation / artists rights society (ars) new york
// matthew wong, banishment from the garden, 2015. oil on canvas (left panel), oil on panel (right panel). Matthew Wong Foundation. Image credit: © 2022 matthew wong foundation / artists rights society (ars) new york
His control over large-scale, monochromatic paintings is stunning, blending traditional landscape with abstraction. Two pieces dated 2015 —“River at Dusk” and “Sanctuary” — are particularly stunning. Both works are boldly layered with paint that casts a metallic glow, demanding the gallery’s light must run with the viewer’s eye over each
vibrant section of color. That incongruously lovely shimmering imbues these two works with a regal, aristocratic elegance, which is unexpected considering their earthy subjects; and yet, the word “realm” (in the exhibition’s title) derives from the Latin root regimen, which means “control” or “government,” but evolved into the Old French meaning “royal.”
// matthew wong, the west, 2017. oil on canvas. dallas museum of art, dallas art fair foundationacquisition fund, 2017.28. image credit: © 2022 matthew wong foundation / artists rights society (ars) new york
Despite Wong’s social media savvy in getting his paintings before the public eye, only one museum acquisition of his work was made during his lifetime, and that was by the Dallas Museum of Art.
Matthew Wong: The Realm of Appearances is a ticketed exhibition, but as a holiday gift to art lovers, visitors may view the show for free on any remaining Friday evening of 2022, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. You can double-feature that no-cost plan with the DMA’s other ticketed (and very fun) show, Movement: The Legacy of Kineticism. If you can’t make it on a Friday night before that sweet deal expires, you can still see both exhibitions in a single visit for just $15, or either show for $10 each. And as always, admittance to the DMA’s sprawling, inspiring collection is free for all, right in the heart of the Dallas Arts District.
dma.org
THE CASSINA ‘PERSPECTIVE’
// balance -
william toliver
Scott + Cooner unveils its 2100 sq. ft. renovated Cassina space in the Dallas Design District.
The event was hosted by owners Jud and Amanda Taylor who assumed the reigns of Scott+Cooner in the past year.
Cassina CEO Luca Fuso and Art Director Spanish born Patricia Urquiola were in town from Milan.
They officially introduced ‘The Cassina Perspective’, the company’s unique vision of the home where innovative products and classic icons come together to create complete warm and welcoming settings that dialogue according to a unique design code based on excellence.
Art Director Patricia Urquiola shared her vision of the Senga collection which includes the generously proportioned sectional sofa whose uncomplicated shapes conspire to reclaim light-hearted cozy moments, while
Carneal Simmons Contemporary Art Conduit Gallery Craighead Green Gallery Cris Worley Fine Arts Erin Cluley Gallery Galleri Urbane Marfa+Dallas Holly Johnson Gallery Keijsers Koning Kirk Hopper Fine Art Laura Rathe Fine Art PDNB Gallery Pencil on Paper Gallery RO2 Art Valley House Gallery & Sculpture Garden CADDALLAS.ORG 2022 MEMBERS
// senga collection and dudet small armchiar by patricia uquiola
its open lines invite conversation and the Asian inspired Senga coffee table enhanced by the layering of different materials.
Included in the perspective is the Dudet Small Armchair which strongly references 1970s design, is engineered to be completely disassembled for ease of disposal and recycling of the organic and premium materials, starting with the metal core.
A wonderful jesture and Texas memory when Jud and Amanda presented Luca with a cowboy hat and a pair of authentic leather boots for Patricia.
The Dallas Architecture and Design Community were out mixing and mingling with these modern icons of the design world.
Scott+Cooner is located in the Dallas Design District at 1617 Hi Line Dr Suite 100 and are open 9.30am5.30pm Monday thru Friday.
view the collection at scott+cooner
1216 N. Riverfront Blvd Dallas, TX 75207 “fine
modern design” // edward wormley for dunbar gondola sofa in boucle’ circa20c.com
mid-century and
MODERN SPACES 1717 Arts Plaza #2307 // $3,850,000 5846 La Vista Drive // $1,499,000 8906 Forest Hills Blvd // $1,200,000 4765 Chapel Hill Road // $3,500,000 FAISAL HALUM c: 214.240.2575 fhalum@briggsfreeman.com LORI ERICSSON c. 214.235.3452 lericsson@davidgriffin.com KEVIN MCGOVERN c. 214.649.4446 kevin.mcgovern@compass.com JACOB MOSS c: 214.335.1719 jacob.moss@compass.com
ART: Kevin Vogel
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ARCHITECTURE: Bernbaum/Magadini
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REALESTATE: Faisal Halum
// aston chaise lounger inspiration is unabashedly retro, designed by rodolfo dordoni available. smink
// mobius console in padouk by pierre renart available. maisonparisienne
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Relax and free yourself with the Cassina Soriana sofa. Dallas 1617 Hi Line Dr. Ste. 100 214.748.9838 Austin 2120 E. 7th St. 512.480.0436 scottcooner.com
chill.
The ultimate in modern
